Reviewed by Simon Eden

'Gold' is a double album repackage of Nicole's first two albums 'Wide Eyed' (1998) and 'This Mystery' (2000), although it includes three bonus tracks including a live version of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time", as well as the video for "Legacy". If you missed these fine albums the first time round, you now have been given a second chance. Of all the Christian songs I have ever owned or heard, "Burnin'" is the one that I play on continual repeat for the longest time, and it stills sounds fresh. Nicole's piano playing is so ethereal it is magical and hypnotic. Her best talent is, however, the parable-like narratives that she relates in each song with a voice that enchants. The classic "Wide Eyed" talks of seeing people that society may have discounted as creations of God whilst "This Mystery" encourages us to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our world. Nicole's passion as a beautiful wife and a loving mother is so evident in her songs that it is difficult not to find her songs beautiful and loving. If we were all a little more like the people in Nicole's songs the world and Christ's Kingdom would be a much better place.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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